Ryan Easley, who had ties to Tiger King star Joe Exotic, was killed after a tiger turned on him during a live animal show in Oklahoma.
The incident happened Saturday afternoon at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Hugo. According to Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park, Easley was handling the tiger during the show when the big cat suddenly lunged. Witnesses said the tiger clamped down on Easley’s neck and shoulder and violently shook him, leaving him with fatal injuries. Emergency crews were called around 2 p.m., but Easley was pronounced dead shortly after first responders arrived per TMZ.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is now investigating. Officials will decide whether the preserve will remain open and what will happen to the tiger involved. Sheriff Park said the animal has been isolated in a single cage and will not be released until the investigation is complete.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve paid tribute to Easley on social media, describing him as a “passionate advocate for wildlife conservation” who dedicated his life to caring for big cats. Friends and colleagues remembered him for his devotion to the animals and his efforts to educate the public about wildlife.
Sheriff Park also confirmed that some of the animals under Easley’s care had once belonged to Joe Exotic, the former zookeeper who became infamous after the hit Netflix series Tiger King. Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is serving a 21-year prison sentence after being convicted in a murder-for-hire plot against rival animal activist Carole Baskin.
From prison, Joe Exotic shared his condolences in a post on Facebook, mourning Easley’s death and offering sympathy to his family.
The tragedy has renewed questions about the risks of private big cat ownership and the safety of live animal shows, both of which have long been controversial topics linked to Joe Exotic’s legacy.
